Closure



H.- C. RICHARDSON ET AL Nov. .6

CLOSURE Filed March 9, 1922 2 Sheets-Sheet 1- Nov. 6 1923.

CLOSURE Filed Maren 9, 1922 H. c. RICHARDSON ET AL 2 Sheecs-Shet 2 SON and HENRY F, VAonr'J, citizens of the Patented I Nov. 6, 1923.

UNITED; STATES: PJArE T;orricn HOLDEN C. RICHARDSON AND HENRY F. .VAOHE, OF PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA.

CLOSURE.

' To all who-m z'tmay cone-em.

Be it known that we, HOLDEN. C. RICHARD- United States, and residents of Philadelhia, in the county of Philadelphia and tate of Pennsylvania, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Closures, of which the following is a specification.

Our invention relates generally to closures for pressure containers, and more particularly to an improved form of closure device havlng means for securing and releasing ate ' the same, with which we have incorpora safety venting device; such ventingrdevice also providing a pressure seal lock. he relation of the parts is such that we have combined a simple form of mechanism, means for securing and releas n the cover, means for regulating and adjusting the cover joint, means for quickly and easily applying, or releasing, the force necessary to securethe cover in place, which means may include. a cam, and means for locking the'operating camwhen the pressure in the container is greater than should exist if the cover is to be removed with safety.

The main ob'ect of our invention is to inthe operation of our improved providing a simple locking device for t e closure mechanism, which lockdeviee is controlled by'the contained pressure in such manner that it cannot be released until the pressure has been relieved to a safe degree. f

Another object of our invention is to provide a simple form of spring-controlled valve, normally open, and adapted to close.

, a venting passage or opening in communication with'the atmosphere; such valve be' so disposed and arran edthat it'will not seat itself until the interna pressure reaches such a point as to overcome the resistance, of the spring, or until the flow entrains the valve, and conversely, so that it will not unseat itself until the pressure on the face of the valve is less than that exerted'by the spring. A further object of our. invention is to provide simple and effective means for mechanicall o crating the valve for the 'purpose of eli erately releasing the pressure; the valve being moved to an open position when desired, and held in such position until the pressure falls to such a degree that the 1922. Serial No. 542,229.

spring will retain the valve in the open position; thereb releasing the-seal lock.

These an other features of our invention are morefully described hereinafter; reference being had to. the accompanying drawin in.w ich:

igure 1, is a sectional elevation of sulficient of a pressure container to illustrate the improvements forming the subject of our invention.

Fig. 2, 1s a sectional view of a portion of the structure shown in Figure 1, inthe same plane, and a Figs. 3 and 4, are views similar to Fig. 2, showing certain of the parts in different positions.

In the drawings, 1 may represent any usual form of a pressure contaming vessel, which may have any suitable form of rim 1, affording an internal seat for a cover 2, and providm an external shoulder for engagement-b 51c hooked ends of clawretaini means, hereinafterdescribed.

arried by the cover 2, which may fit into the rim 1 of the vessel, preferably with a ground joint, is a special form of sleeve 3,

which may be screwed into an opening 4, preferabl formed at thecenter of the cover, and usually at the highest poiiitofthe same. The sleeve 3, may carry an inner sleeve 5, integral therewith if desired; such inner sleeve serving as a guide for the stem 6, of a,

valve 7. In the space between the sleeves 3. and 4, a sprin 8, may be located which spring is inten ed to aid gravit in holding such 'valve normally open; an the stem 6 maycarry a lock nut 9,; externally of the sleeve 3, to limit the extent to which said valve may open.

Vent passages 10, which may be formed in the web connecting the sleeves Sand 5, provide communication With'the atmosphere for the flow ,ofair, gas, or vapor'when the valve is open. The end of the valve stem 6, may

bereduced, as indicated at 11 for a purpose hereinafter described. The sleeve 3 is provided with .a seat 12,-whichmaybe ground with which the valve 7 'may engage, and-it may be provided'with a pair of cars 13, extending above same, in which may he journaled trunnions, r a pivot pin 14, supportin acam15.

ecovermaybesecuredin-placebya series of claw arms 16, three beingindicated in the present case, which may be carried by a suitable head 17, overlying the cam 15; such head being provided with an adjusting and regulating screw 18, which may bear directly on the surface of the cam 15, as shown in Fig. 1. The adjusting screw 18, is provided with a suitable head 18 to permit cam 15, is eccentric to its axis of movement,

thereby afi'ording means for taking upthc slack of the claw arms 16, and applying pres sure to the cover after said claws have been fst'eni. dnce'd in the pressure container, ,the con-' ""tained fair escapes pastthe valve andseated by operating the-regulating screw 18. The cam" 15, is recessed at 21, at a point substantially opposite the portion 20,. to accommodate the end 11, of the valve stem. '6, and when the parts are in the position indicated in Fig. 2, rotation of the cam in one direction is prevented.

' When the cover is first set in place, the cam may be disposed withfits handle in position (3, as indicated in Fig. 4. In this position, the adjusting screw 18, being in contact with the top of the cam, the ends of the claw arms 16 will overlie the rim 1 and can be readily positioned. The operating handle 15 may now be moved to the position indicated at. A in Fig. 2, and the effect of this movement is to first raise the head 17 andbring the claws into engagement with the rim, andthen, by the intervention ofthe cam and its housing, the

elastic tension ofjthe claws applies the required pressure against rim seat ofthe cover. This pressure may be regulated by setting the adjusting screw 18 against the cam when the handle is in position C Fig.

When once regulated, the adjusting screw acts as a fixed member until wear or deformation, pr; adjustment for internal 7 pressures, requlres re-adjustm'ent,

As the [h'a' lell'5 approaches position- A the recess 21, of the cam is ybrou ht mto re' stnv -with the end 11 of the Va ve fpressure is now introduced or prothrough; the'vents10, and continues to: escape'; unt l the rush of air or the pressure de velopfed, overcomesjhe weight of the valve the force bf'the spring if used) at h h time theend. 11 of said valve stem eiiters '21. When in this position,

a 1,47s,4os v the handle 15*- cannot be lifted until the pressure within the container falls to an extent that will permit the valve to open and remain open.

It will be noted that when the'cam is in the positions indicated in Figs. 1, 3 and 4,

the valve cannot seat, and the full force of the claws cannot be exerted against the rim of the container, henceif pressure is formed in' the container or admitted thereto, the cover itself willfunction as a valve, and it will be manifest to the operator that the cover is not functioning properly.

When the container is operating under pressure, the handle will be in position A, Fig. 2. Should-it be desired to open the con-- tainer, the pressure must be reduced before the handle can be raised sufliciently to release the claws. This may be done by moving the handle to position B indicated in Fig. 3, or to a osition intermediate A and B; depending upon the rapidity with which it is desired to reduce the pressure. As the handle is depressed, the rounded' shoulder 22 of the cam depresses the valve stem; unseating the valve and permitting the pressure to escape through the vents 10. This continues until the pressure reduces to a degree that will permit the valve to remain unseated, after which the handle may be raised, and the claws unhooked to release the cover. At any intermediate stage of this last described operation, the cover may become unseat'ed before the claws can be unhooked; thus all pressure will escape. wthout danger of the cover being blown o An important feature of our invention lies in the fact that the cover cannot be opened until the pressure within the vessel has been reduced to a safe,degree,since movement of the cam in one direction is prevented by the shoulder of the recess 21, and movement of the. cam i the opposite direction efi'ects opening of the valve' which rmits the escape of the pressure, and it is only by holding the valve open until the pressure reduces to an extent that will permit the spring to react and hold the valve 0 en,that the eamcan be turned to the position illustrated in Fig. 4:, which will per mit release of theclaw arms from the rim.-,

If desirable .or necessary, the pressure container may be provided with a pet cock;

safetyvalve; liquid and pressure gauges,

thermometer, and any other devices common to pressure containers, and which will ini sure eflicient and economic operation of the of the cam; the latter adapted to said seat, a stem carried by saidvalve .and projecting into thelpath of. the

valve being arranged 'tobe held to its seat bypressure within the vessel, means for normally holding said valve open, and a stern carried by said valve for cooperative engagement with the cam whereby said va ve may be opened by'movin'g the cam with respect tosaid stem.

' 2. In a pressure containing vessel, the combination-of a cover, a cam journaled on said cover, means cooperating with said cam for holdingthe cover in place, a valve carried by the .cover, a stem carried by said valve in line with the cam; said valve being arranged to be held to its seat by pressure within the vessel, and means for normally holding said valve open; the stem car- -ried by said, valve being in operative engagement with the cam whereby said valve may be opened by .rotative movement of the cam. T

3. In a ,pressure containing vessel, the combination of a cover therefor, a cam j ournaled on saidcover, claw arms for holding the cover in place, a block to which said arms are pivotally connected, an adjusting screw carried by said block and. movable into engagement'withsaid camjto hold the claw arms in operative enga 'ement-with the cover, a valve seat carried y the cover, a

valveadapted to said seat, a stem carried by said valve and projecting into the path aving a recess to receive the end of the valve stem when the valve is closed by pressure, and a spring for holding said valve normally open.

4. Ina pressure containing vessel, the comblna'tlon of .a cover therefor, a cam ournaled on said cover, claw arms for holdingthe cover in place, a block to which said arms are ivotally connected, a'n adjusting screw carried by said block and movable into engagement with said cam to .hold the claw arms in operative enga ement 'with the cover, a valve seat carrie by the cover'in axial alignment with. the cam, a valve cam; the latter having a recess to receive the end of the valve stem when the valve is closed by pressure, and a spring for holdi said valve normally-open; said valve closing against the force ofsaid spring and bein opened by the cam when the latter is move 1n one dlrection.

5. Ina pressure containing vessel, the

combination of a removable cover therefor, means for holdin the cover in place ineluding an adjusta le screw, a shell or sleeve threaded into the cover, said shell or sleeve and jectin throu h the latter, ears 'carrie 'b said s ell or s eeve, a cam .journaled in sai ears and arranged to engage said valve stem, means limitingthe opening of said valve with respect to said shell, a spring for bolding the inner ends oi -said claw arms, an

.an adjusting screw carried by said securing a valve carried by having a stem ro- I ing the' valve in the open position, and vent openings in said sifell or sleeve for the escape of air and steam when the'valve is open.

' a cam journaled in said earsand arranged to engage said valve stem, means limiting the opening of said valve' with respect to said shell, a spring for holding the valve in the open position and vent openings in said shell for the escape ofair and steam; said cam having a recess receiving the end of the valve stem when the valve is closed and lockg said cam against movement "in one direction.

pressure may build up, of a cover therefor, operating mechanism for quickly securing and releasing said cover including a plurality of claw arms, a rim -carried by the end of said vessel; said rimlformin a seat for the cover, and providing a surface for engagement by said claw arms, ahead connect- 4 7. The combination with avessel in which i ad usting screw mounted in said head; the

cover belng operatively engaged by said adjustings'crew, and an automaticall closing ventin device for said cover; sai venting deviceieing under the control of said coveroperating mechanism. T

8. The combination of a vessel in which pressure may build up, a cover therefor,

securing and releasing means for said cover,

and releasing means, a cam mounted on the lid and interposed between the latter-and I with said securing and releasing means and affording rapid means-for securing and re-.

said adjusting. screw; said cam cooperating I leasing the cover, and pressure venting means controlledby said'cam.

9. The combination of a vessel in which pressure may buildup, a cover therefor, securing and releasing means for said cover, an adjustingscrew, a recessed cam, a pressure operatedvalve, a valve seat therefor;

the cover having venting ports closed b said valve, and-a stem'for said valve; sai stem being arranged to engage the recess in the cam and lock the latter against releasing movement until the vessel is -reduced.'

10. The combinatiomof a vessel in'which pressure may build 'up, a cover therefor,

' securingand releasing'means for said cover,

an adjusting screw, a valve, a stem therefor projecting through the cover, and a double acting. cam in operative en agement with said valve stem; the'latter bemg movable by pressurev within the.

the cam upon rotating the latter in one direction, and the cam being held against movement'in the opposite direction to release the cover until the pressure within said vessel has been reduced.

11. The combination of a vessel in which pressure may build up, a cover therefor, securing and releasing means for said cover, an adjustable screw, a valve, a double acting cam in engagement with said screw and valve and providing a pressure-operated cam lock, and'a spring normally. adjusted to prevent the valve seating until the flow of air,'gas or vapor entrains same, or until the conto unseat the valve when the contained pressure has been reduced to release the cam and permit removal of the lid; said valve having a stem engaged by the cam and movable thereby to unseat the valve and release the contained pressure.

12. The combination with a vessel in which pressure may build up, of a cover 'a spring for normally holding said valve open, a manually operable double-acting cam; one portion serving to apply mechanical pressure to seat the cover, while another portion is formed with a recess to re ceive the valve stem and be locked thereby;

said cam being beveled adjacent the recess so as to ride up on the valve stem and unseat the valve against the pressure within the vessel, and means carried by said sleeve 01' housing for supporting said cam and in which it is pivotally mounted.

In witnesses whereof we have signed this specification.

HOLDEN O. RICHARDSON. HENRY F. VACHE. 

